THE MESSENGER

VOLUME 90--NO. 4 APRIL 2019

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:

It’s Closer Than You Think There are many disputes in the world over “holy places.” In Turkey, there stands a building called Hagia Sophia—which in Greek means “Holy Wisdom.” It’s actually named after Jesus—who, in I Corinthians, is called “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (I Corinthians 1:24). This magnificent edifice was built to the Saviour’s glory in 537 A.D. For more than 900 years, it was the site of wondrous Christian worship. Emissaries from Vladimir of Russia in the 900s were enraptured by the worship there: “We did not know if we were in heaven or on earth. But we know God dwells among these people.” Then in 1451, the Turks conquered Constantinople. And the identity of Hagia Sophia changed radically—it became a mosque, devoted not to the worship of Christ, but of Allah. With the rise of Mustapha Kemal “Ataturk” in the early 20th century, Hagia Sophia changed from a mosque to a museum. Seeking to deemphasize the role of Islam, Ataturk made Hagia Sophia “neutral ground” religiously. But recently Turkey’s direction has changed radically. The Erdogan government has rolled back many of Ataturk’s reforms—and suggested turning Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. The Turkish supreme court recently handed Erdogan a setback and rejected the idea of turning the great church back into a mosque. But now Erdogan is using U.S. recognition of Israel’s

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 147 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York 11701

Church Phone: 631-264-0763; e-mail: amityluther@verizon.net Parsonage: 631-598-0257; Fax: 631-264-0372

Reverend David W. Anglin, Pastor Reverend Herbert M. Kern, Assisting Minister

Mr. David Thomas, DELTO Vicar Mr. Phil Johnson & Mr. Steve McDonald, Deacons

Mr. Russell Brand, Director of Music St. Paul’s Website: stpaulsamityville.com

Sunday Services: 9:30 and 11:00; Contemporary Communion Services: Wednesday at 7:30 and Saturday at 6:30

sovereignty over the Golan Heights as a talking point to turn Hagia Sophia back into an Islamic sanctuary. Another holy place that has been embroiled in controversy is the Temple Mount—the site of the Jewish Temple (destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, save for a single wall) and now also the site of two mosques. The place is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. It was in Muslim hands until 1967, when the Israelis captured it along with all of east Jerusalem. The Israelis wisely left the Muslims in charge of the site—it is administered by an agency in Jordan. In spite of that, the site continues to cause turmoil. Jews may visit there but are not allowed to pray —a policy stringently enforced by Muslim guards. Violence occasionally breaks out. Conspiracy theories that the Jews plan to take over the site are widely distributed. A small order of nuns owns a magnificent convent in Los Angeles. The local Roman Catholic diocese saw an opportunity to make some money, so they made arrangements to relocate the nuns and to sell the property to a famous pop singer. The nuns, however, sued the church to keep the property. Things got nasty. One of the sisters actually dropped dead in court, so overwrought was she that the church would take away the nuns’ long-time home. How sad it is that holy places, which should be sites of peace and serenity, so often become venues for anger and dispute. My perspective on holy places was largely shaped by something I heard Bishop Kallistos Ware (a convert from the Church of England to Greek Orthodoxy) say many years ago. He said that three key words in Christianity are one/some/all. Ware applied this to the idea of holy places: One place is holy—heaven, the dwelling of God. Some places are holy—places like the Temple Mount, Hagia Sophia, and yes, our sanctuary at St. Paul’s where we encounter God in the Word and the Sacraments. But ultimately all places are holy. God is everywhere, and that means every square inch of His creation is filled with His presence! Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land were popular in the years before the Muslims conquered it in 637. People rejoiced to visit the very places where Jesus walked. There is a famous memoir by a nun who visited Jerusalem during Holy Week. How moved she was to celebrate the events of that blessed time at the very sites where they happened! The very places where Christ sacrificed Himself for our salvation, and rose again to give us life! The rituals carried out in Jerusalem influence our Holy Week observance to this very day. A great Christian thinker named Jerome lived in the Holy Land during this time. Someone from Europe wrote him a letter, saying that they hoped they could make the

journey to Jerusalem to grow closer to God. Jerome wrote back, telling them that the journey was perilous—and that they should take heed of the Saviour’s words: “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). In other words, what counts is not holy geography but the dwelling of God’s Spirit with us—the Spirit who makes us into holy places. “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19) Even if we cannot make it to Jerusalem this Holy Week, we still can know the awe and the wonder of this holy time—right here in Amityville, right here at St. Paul’s. Christianity is a wonderfully local religion. Our Muslim friends are required, if at all possible, to make the haj pilgrimage to Mecca—but in our faith, we get everything we need right here where we live, in the Word and the Sacraments celebrated in our church, in the Spirit living in our hearts. A poem I love—which has been a part of our current angel Bible study—is Francis Thompson’s “The Kingdom of God” (subtitled “in no strange land”). Some of the verses are: O world invisible, we view thee! O world intangible, we touch thee! O world unknowable, we know thee! Inapprehensible, we clutch thee!... Not where the wheeling systems darken, and our benumbed conceiving soars The drift of pinions, would we hearken, beats at our own clay-shuttered doors. The angels keep their ancient places—turn but a stone and start a wing. Tis ye, tis your estranged faces that miss the many-splendoured thing But (when so sad thou canst not sadder) Cry—and upon thy so sore loss

Shall shine the traffic of Jacob’s ladder, pitched betwixt heaven and Charing Cross.

Yea, in the night, my soul, my daughter, Cry—clinging heaven by the hems; And lo, Christ walking on the water Not of Gennesareth, but Thames! Change “Charing Cross” to “Merrick Road” (yeah, I know it doesn’t rhyme) or “Thames” to “Great South Bay” and you’ll get the poem’s message—God’s kingdom is not in outer space, nor far across the sea…it’s right here where we make our home! He makes His home with us! So if you can’t make it to the Holy Land during Holy Week this year—or any year—St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amityville will more than do. Join us!

God loves you and so do I! Pastor David W. Anglin

HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAY! 2nd: Marie Bergen and Eddie Wynn 5th: Carolyn Bukowski 6th: Sal Lazzarino and Robert Murphy, Jr. 9th: Terrylynn Bayon and Hannah Milonas 13th: Patricia Nixon 14th: Bill Carmen 15th: Joy Voltaire 16th: John Anglin 17th: Joan Serina 18th: Margaret Weber 20th: Janet Hill and Andrew Tolkach 25th: Gladys Jurgen 26th: Gileen Allocca 27th: Richard James and Anne Mahnken 28th: Madge Campbell 30th: Judith Nelson

Women’s Life Day: Grace Lutheran Church in Mastic Beach has invited the ladies of our congregation to join their 32nd Annual Women’s Life Day on Saturday, May 4. The theme for this year is “love yourself.” The day will include inspiring

presentations by a young single woman, a married woman, and a widow; praise and worship music; drama and skit performances; a continental breakfast and a sit-down lunch. For more information or to register, call Iris Taibbi at 631.909.1490.

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Any announcements to be inserted in The Messenger for May need to be emailed to amityluther@verizon.net, or dropped off in the church office, by Tuesday, April 23. Thank you!

SERVING IN THE LORD’S HOUSE THIS MONTH

Communion Assistants: Saturdays– Apr. 6: John Mix Apr. 13 and 27: Steve McDonald Apr. 20 (Easter Vigil): Steve McDonald and Dave Thomas Maundy Thursday, Apr. 18- 4:00: Dave Thomas 7:30: Phil Johnson, Bob Mowad, and Dave Thomas Sundays– Apr. 7: 9:30: Bill Carmen 11:00: Bob Mowad Palm Sunday, Apr. 14: 11:00: Bob Mowad Easter Sunday, Apr. 21: 9:30: Bill Carmen, Phil Johnson, and John Vercelletto 11:00: Phil Johnson and Bob Mowad Apr. 28: 11:00: Bob Mowad Lectors: Saturdays– Apr. 6: John Mix Apr. 13 and 27: Steve McDonald Apr. 20 (Easter Vigil): Steve McDonald and Dave Thomas Maundy Thursday, Apr. 18- 4:00: Dave Thomas 7:30: Phil Johnson, Bob Mowad, and Dave Thomas Good Friday, Apr. 19- 4:00: Steve McDonald and Dave Thomas 7:30: Bill Carmen, Bob Mowad, and Randy Osofsky Sundays– Apr. 7: 9:30: Bill Carmen 11:00: Bob Mowad Palm Sunday, Apr. 14: 9:30: Jessica Bernius and Leon Goodman 11:00: Bob Mowad; Phil Johnson Easter Sunday, Apr. 21: 9:30 Bill Carmen; 11:00: Phil Johnson Apr. 28: 9:30: Randy Osofsky; 11:00: April Nixon

Ushers All Wednesdays–Barbara Ridings All Saturdays–Ginger Lee and Craig Thomas Sundays– Apr. 7: 9:30: Alex Serina and Bob Serina; 11:00: Danielle Wynn and Ed Wynn Palm Sunday, Apr. 14: 9:30: Kyle Allocca and Craig Smestad; 11:00: Bill Albert Easter Sunday, Apr. 21: 9:30: Bill Carmen and Justin Holzwarth 11:00: Phil Johnson, Barbara Holzwarth, and Wally Holzwarth Apr. 28: 9:30: Alex Serina and Bob Serina; 11:00: Danielle Wynn and Ed Wynn Counters Apr. 7: Kathy Koop, and Dottie McMillin, and Kathy Vrooman Apr. 14: Marie McDonald, Steve McDonald, Dave Thomas, and Marlene Thomas Apr. 21 (double teaming for Easter Sunday): Gileen Allocca, Patty Heffron, Herb Jaklitsch, Willard Prostka, and Barbara Ridings Apr. 28: Kathy Koop and Eileen Smestad Altar Guild Apr. 7: Ginger Lee and Marlene Thomas Apr. 14: Kathy Koop and Dottie McMillin Apr. 18 (Good Friday): Barbara Holzwarth and Kathy Marshak Apr. 21 (double teaming for Easter): Bonnie Anglin, Carol Gwaltney, Joan Serina, Cathy Wynn Apr. 28: Patty Heffron and Kathy Marren Flower Delivery to Shut-Ins Apr. 7: Mike Bayon Apr. 14: (Palm Sunday) Alicia Johnston Apr. 21 (Easter Sunday): All deliverers please report Apr. 28: Kathy Marren Acolytes and Crossbearers Apr. 7: Erin Holzwarth, Acolyte Apr. 14: (Palm Sunday) Samantha Cusano, Acolyte; Joshua Osofsky, Crossbearer Apr. 18 (Maundy Thursday): Amanda Mastanduno, Acolyte; Evan Thole, Crossbearer Apr. 20 (Easter Vigil): Kyra Lee, Acolyte Apr. 21 (Easter Sunday): Brooke Mollica, Acolyte; Christian Mollica, Crossbearer

✜St. Paul's Prayer List✜ Please keep these members and dear friends of our congregation in your prayers this month.

MILITARY: Will Astacio; Allison Barz; Glen Bednarz; Leonard Blythe; Cameron Clark; Andrew Cobo; Stephen Cooke; Joe Diliberto; Christopher Harper; Michael Hickey; Frederick Ketcham; Kaitlyn Kessler; Matthew Mazzella; Eamonn McDonough; Cody and Kayla McGee; Richard Moffat; Nelson Montalvo; Nadine Navarro; Marcus Phelps; S/Sgt Porras; Peter Roach; Taylor Roach; Joseph Schonberg; Matt Spencer; Eric Stolz; and Danny Vanbenthuysen

HEALING: Barbara Aguanno; Fred Anderson; Phyllis Bello; Brock Benjamin; Eileen Capozzi; Jeannie and Ray Cardillo; Pastor Carney; Steve Cush, David Dentici; Gail Dupre, Frederika Ellis; Robert Engler; Marie Fassuloh; Bill Hoehn; Barbara Holzwarth; Pastor Michael Hughes; Todd Hunter; Peter Ippolito; Earline Jefferson; Robert Johnston; Beverly Jones; Louis Lafayette; Ginger Lee; Susan Maglione; Ruth Mahnken; Kathy Marshak; Jim Meehan; Kenneth Meyerhoff; Patsy O’Hare; Harold Olsen; Wendy Pebler; Amanda Prag; Samantha Prince; Ruth Prostka; Peggy Prucha; Ryan Raff; Michael Reilly; Don Ridings; Fran Rizzo; Art Schmidt; Annamarie Sonnick; Inge Stone; Ransford Taylor; Virginia Thomas; June Torns; Kathy Vrooman; Margaret Weber; Chris Weiss; Jeanette Werner; Roger and the Wilmot family; Jill Wood

Happy Anniversary! Dennis & Karen Glocksien: married 13 years on April 1st Walter & Carolyn Bukowsky: married 51 years on April 5th

Fancy Yourself a Singer? The Babylon Chorale, accompanied by our own Russell Brand, is holding auditions for all voice parts on Monday, April 1 and Monday, April 8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at St. John the

Baptist High School in West Islip. For further information, call 631.585.3111 or 16.221.3211, or email info@babylonchorale.org.

DID YOU KNOW that by law, New York drivers are allowed to save 10 percent on all vehicle insurance for three years and reduce four points on their driver’s license? The NYS DMV-approved online safe driver classes are now available at EmpireSafetyCouncil.com. Enter code DSNY to obtain a $15 discount. Plus, for every use of that code, St. Paul’s receives $5. Please call 800-246-3603, or see Karla Petriccione, for more information.

Oberammergau Opportunity...The Atlantic District of the LCMS is sponsoring a junket to see the world-famous Passion Play, to be presented in Oberammergau, Germany in July of 2020. Early planning is necessary given the popularity of this event. The trip will also include a tour of Italy. Those interested should email Ben and Jeanette Herbrich at herbrich3@gmail.com.

IN THE MAILBAG A note from Stanley Allen, all the way from Stuart, Florida Brothers and Sisters in Christ at St. Paul’s Lutheran, Thank you all SO very much for your generous gift! Books-Books-Books! As Pastor Anglin so well knows! Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support! A large part of my foundation started at St. Paul’s!

In Christ, Pastor Stan CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE: Please see a member of the Directory Committee (David Thomas, Phil Johnson, and Linda Mather) to have your picture taken (If you prefer, you may email your own photo to stpdirectory@yahoo.com) and confirm your contact information. If you haven’t filled out an information sheet, you can get a blank one in the narthex. Thank you!

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Wednesday, April 17, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. “Spy Wednesday,” a brief service with meditation on Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

Maundy Thursday, April 18, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. We remember how Christ founded the Sacrament of Holy Communion “on the night in which He was betrayed.” The evening service closes with the solemn ceremony of Stripping the Altar.

Good Friday, April 19, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The afternoon service includes the reading of the Passion and unveiling of the Holy Cross. The evening service is Tenebrae, where the church is gradually darkened until only one candle remains.

Saturday, April 20, the Vigil of Easter at 7:30 p.m. Lasting about an hour and 20 minutes, during this first service of Easter, we will hear the Alleluia and the Gloria in Excesis for the first time in six weeks! See the new Paschal candle lighted! Renew your Baptismal vows! Acclaim the risen Saviour!

Easter Sunday, April 21:

6 a.m.: Easter at Amityville Beach – I’m talkin’ about the beach! In the midst of the beauty of God’s creation, during a lovely celebration of Christ’s resurrection by the water, we rejoice in His New Creation in Jesus.

9:30 and 11 a.m.: Easter Services of Holy Communion. In Word and Sacrament and song, we exult in the victory of the crucified and risen Christ!

Ladies Aid Goings-On Communion Brunch: All ladies of the congregation are invited to join us for our

Communion Brunch on Saturday, April 6 at 11:00 a.m. The Board will be preparing dishes with love, as we celebrate our Lord’s Supper. We hope to see many new faces on April 6! Easter Baskets: Ladies Aid will be preparing Easter baskets to make the holiday brighter for some of our members. The congregation is invited to donate non-perishable food, which may be placed in the wooden bins in the narthex by April 14. (Expired items can not be used.) Thank you for your support. Executive Board will meet on Monday, April 15, immediately following the Easter basket packing, which will begin at 10 a.m.

Operation Christmas Child 2019 Church Project! Yes, we see the crocuses and the Peeps in CVS. So why are we talking about Christmas? The tireless Cindy Gray has hatched a genius idea: Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes as a whole-church effort, with the needed items collected in stages. This way, we won’t be so rushed to meet the deadline at the end of the year, and we’ll be able to send more boxes. The plan is to donate 102 (Here’s looking at you, Pastor Kern!) boxes from St. Paul’s. The first category of items we’re collecting is personal care. This includes combs, brushes, toothbrushes, washcloths, and wrapped bar soap. Please drop your contributions in the green box in the narthex, and stay tuned for updates! (If you prefer to prepare your own individual shoebox in the traditional timeframe, that’s still fine.) If you have any questions, check in with Cindy.

EASTER FLOWERS FOR OUR SANCTUARY

LAST DAY TO ORDER is April 8th

We invite you to purchase a beautiful Easter plant to decorate the church and glorify the risen Christ. You may opt either to pick up your plant–they make lovely, budget-friendly Easter dinner hostess gifts–or have it delivered to one of our shut-ins.

Your Name: _________________________________

IN LOVING MEMORY OF: __________________________________________

IN HONOR OF: __________________________________________________

I WILL PICK UP SOMETIME BETWEEN NOON ON EASTER DAY AND 5:00 P.M. ON APRIL 30 ___

OR PLEASE DELIVER TO A SHUT-IN ___

NO. ORDERED: Lily @ $9.25: _________ Mum @ $8.75: _________ Tulip @ $8.25: _________ Hyacinth @ $7.75: _________

Please place this form and cash/check in a pew envelope, mail your order in, or drop it off in the church office.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN ST. PAUL’S MINISTRY IS APPRECIATED!

Monthly Need: $14,166.67

FEBRUARY 2019 ATTENDANCE CHURCH ENVELOPES

February 3 125 $1,986

February 10 114 $2,006

February 17 109 $3,505

February 24 97 $2,945

Total: $10,442

Behind: $3,724.67 SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Feb 3 – 11 children Feb 10 – 13 children Feb 17 – 14 children Feb 24 – 11 children

LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND… The registration fee has been reduced to $50 from $100, so now is a good time to book a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend. It’s a chance to maximize the joy that God intends for your marriage. The next weekend is April 26-28 in Lancaster, PA. For more information, go to GodLovesMarriage.org, or email Fred & Julie Schamber at fjschamber@comcast.net.

NEWS WORTH KNOWING... • Pastor’s Official Acts in the past month included the Baptism of Apollo Giovanni

Kerson on March 31.

• Cindy Gray is still collecting loose change for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County in the jar in the narthex.